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Former Ireland scrum-half O'Leary retires

Former Ireland scrum-half Tomas O’Leary

Former Ireland scrum-half Tomas O’Leary has announced his retirement from rugby at the age of 33.

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O’Leary was a member of the Ireland side which won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009 and lifted the European Cup twice during the first of his two spells with Munster.

The pivot also enjoyed three years with London Irish before returning to Munster and spent a loan spell with Montpellier last season, but has now called time on his career.

O’Leary, who won 24 caps for his country, said: “I have had an incredible career, from my academy days in Munster to my last game in Montpellier, all of which have been extremely satisfying.

“I have realised my ambition of representing Munster and Ireland. Wearing the red and green jerseys has been a real honour.

“Highlights that stand out are the two Heineken Cup victories with Munster and winning the Grand Slam in 2009 with Ireland. However, the most fulfilling experience is the unique bond and friendships I experienced through rugby.

“This camaraderie is what I will miss the most. For this, I would like to thank all of the team-mates I have had the pleasure of playing with throughout my career.”

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SK 1 hour ago
The times are changing, and some Six Nations teams may be left behind

If you are building the same amount of rucks but kicking more is that a bad thing? Kicks are more constestable than ever, fans want to see a contest, is that a bad thing? kicks create broken field situations where counter attacks from be launched from or from which turnover ball can be exploited, attacks are more direct and swift rather than multiphase in nature, is that a bad thing? What is clear now is that a hybrid approach is needed to win matches. You can still build phases but you need to play in the right areas so you have to kick well. You also have to be prepared to play from turnover ball and transition quickly from the kick contest to attack or set your defence quickly if the aerial contest is lost. Rugby seems healthy to me. The rules at ruck time means the team in possession is favoured and its more possible than ever to play a multiphase game. At the same time kicking, set piece, kick chase and receipt seems to be more important than ever. Teams can win in so many ways with so many strategies. If anything rugby resembles footballs 4-4-2 era. Now football is all about 1 striker formations with gegenpress and transition play vs possession heavy teams, fewer shots, less direct play and crossing. Its boring and it plods along with moves starting from deep, passing goalkeepers and centre backs and less wing play. If we keep tinkering with the laws rugby will become a game with more defined styles and less variety, less ways to win effectively and less varied body types and skill sets.

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